I listened to a junkload of new music in 2007, thanks in part to the wicked gift I got from all of my friends for my birthday (an 80gb iPod!). So much great new music, in fact, that I'm getting sleepy just thinking about explaining to you why I liked it all. Mostly I find music reviews/descriptions completely unhelpful as I just need to hear everything for myself.

For some of these albums (Radiohead, M.I.A., Justice, LCD Soundsystem) I was right there experiencing the album release as it happened, and for others (PJ Harvey, Dan Deacon, Digitalism), I was late in the game catching up with the music. Plus, there are some albums released this year that I still haven't given a proper listen.

Anyhoodle, here's a list of albums that I wore out entirely on my iPod and stereo in 2007, with standout tracks listed for each. Clearly electronica/dance was the genre that rocked my brain the most in 2007!

FAVOURITEST
I put these in alphabetical order only because I can't possibly quantify my love for them with an ordered list rating...

Gui Boratto Chromophobia (Mr. Decay, Scene)
Chromatics Night Drive (The Killing Spree, Healer)
Daft Punk Alive 07 (Around The World/HBFS, Television Rules The Nation/Crescendolls)
Digitalism Idealism (Zdarlight, Pogo)
Enter Shikari Take To The Skies (Mothership, Jonny Sniper)
Calvin Harris I Created Disco (Acceptable In The 80s, Girls)
PJ Harvey White Chalk (The Devil, Silence)
Justice Cross (Waters Of Nazareth, Phantom II)
Klaxons Myths Of The Near Future (Two Receivers, Gravity's Rainbow)
LCD Soundsystem Sound Of Silver (All My Friends, Someone Great)
M.I.A. Kala (Boyz, Bamboo Banger)
Miracle Fortress Five Roses (Beach Baby, Little Trees)
Modeselektor Happy Birthday! (Godspeed, 2000007, The White Flash)
Radiohead In Rainbows (Reckoner, All I Need)
Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad (Umbrella, Breaking Dishes)
Roisin Murphy Overpowered (Overpowered, You Know Me Better)
Simian Mobile Disco Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (Hustler, Wooden)
Sunset Rubdown Random Spirit Lover (The Mending Of The Gown, Winged/Wicked Things)
Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals (Wait For The Summer, No Need To Worry)

GENERALLY UNDERWHELMING
Kylie Minogue X
Celine Dion Taking Chances
Kaiser Chiefs Yours Truly, Angry Mob
The Cribs Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
Alicia Keys As I Am
Kanye West Graduation
Editors An End Has A Start
Linkin Park Minutes To Midnight

MOST ANTICIPATED IN 2008
And looking forward to 2008, we have the following albums to anticipate. Personally I am QUITE pumped to hear new music from all of these bands!

Ace Of Base
Blur
Mariah Carey
Coldplay
Doves
Franz Ferdinand
Hot Chip
Alanis Morissette
Nada Surf
The Postal Service
Portishead
Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Oasis
The Verve

Earlier this month I went to a house party, and at around 3am during said house party a friend went on a snack run - she came back with a Bounty bar. I was outraged - I said to her: "Of all the confectionaries you could choose from, Bounty is the one you picked? I can name 50 chocolate bars right now that are better than Bounty!" and proceeded to make the list (keep in mind this is my personal list of faves).

In the week that followed I relentlessly pursued my hypothesis that Bounty was among the worst chocolate bars ever created. I queried my friends, I posted Facebook surveys, I even interviewed store clerks (for the record, they listed Snickers & Kit Kat as the most purchased chocolate bars, and Bounty & Eat More as the least popular). I wanted to perform a test with as little bias as possible.

Here at MuchMusic.com we conducted a blind chocolate bar taste testing of sorts - 40 chocolate bars, cut up into chunks and labelled in cups. Wendy and I searched high and low for the most obscure chocolate bars, and naturally included all of the basic Halloween ones. Each person had to try a piece, rate it from 0-5 and identify it from the list of chocolate bars (Dan and Neil correctly identified the most bars).

The top 3, based on scores highest to lowest:
Twix
Snickers
Crispy Crunch (I was surprised by this one!)

Following closely behind: Mars, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp, Caramilk, Skor

The bottom 3, based on scores lowest to highest:
Look!
Payday
Eat More

Following closely behind: 100 Grand, Big Turk, Curly Wurly, Crunchie, Whatchamacallit

So yeah...apologies to my friend Jen B. for being so harsh about Bounty. It isn't in the bottom 3. In fact, it's not even in the bottom 10 (it's the 13th worst). But that doesn't mean I don't still hate it!

What are your faves/least faves?

So you got a new phone for the holidays and you're tired of that lame-o default ringtone? Don't fret because we are your #1 source for getting rid of that embarrassing ringer.

I get a lot of slack around here for my Beck Girl ringtone that sounds like a pager from 1993. Truth be told, I should get something a little more modern. So I've thrown together a list of some of the top ringtones of the year mixed with some great oldies and hidden gems...If you dig them don't forget to click 'embed' to add to your Facebook, MySpace, etc.

TOP TONES

Timbaland f. OneRepublic - Apologize
Not a surprise. This track has been doing amazing and makes a great ringer.

Rihanna - Don't Stop the Music
This was defintely the year of Rihanna. Umbrella was one of the best kick off singles released from an artist in ages. But our statistical and factual research dept. here has watched 'Don't Stop..' climb the ringtone charts for the last few months. This is going to be a strong one going into '08. Come back from the winter break with this track and you will get noticed.

Crank That (Soulja Boy) [Robocop]
I still can't figure out why no one is concerned with the proliferation of 'Supermanning' and 'Robocopping' into kids' vocabulary this year. Look it up people! Anyways...you can't argue that Souja Boy came out of nowhere and had you dancing like a tripping Weeble all over the place. This is a crazy hot ringtone too. So make sure you Robocop this tone and Superman that phoooooooone.

Gimme More - Britney Spears
There is nothing wrong with watching trainwrecks...or assigning them as ringtones. The Brit 'comeback' single sounds amazing coming out of a 1/2 inch cellphone speaker. Buy it now and make sure Britney gets a little more money to buy Fresca and Slice for her kids' baby bottles.

MSTRKRFT, Justice and Daft Punk took over the DFA1979 reigns as this years dance-punk heroes. All of their tracks make amazing ringtones and definitely should be checked out.

MSTRKRFT - Street Justice
Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
Daft Punk - Da Funk (Alive 2007)

Oldies But Goodies

Instant cred when your phone rings. Who needs Timbaland when you've got BBD...and who knew Rick Rubin would cut great ringtones 20 years ago!

Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison

The Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

Randoms

'The Office' phone - If you want to give your friends and co-workers the impression that you are taking that next big extra-white non-fiber paper order for Dunder Mifflin make sure to get this awesome tone and you will be Assistant to the Regional Manager in no time.

And if you've made it this far...why not grab a piece of 1995 and download this gem for your car phone.

2007 was very much focused on the future. Questions arose as to what was to become of the war, how do we stop global warming, what will I be when I grow up. Then who would have guessed that in the world of music, 2007 was all about the past?! It was reunions galore as one musically blast from the past after another proclaimed they would be getting back together! And so of course we must countdown the 10 best.

10. Genesis

Now this is kind of cheating since the Phil Collins fronted band actually announced their reunion at the end of 2006, but they are sort of what started what would be the "reunion trend" of 2007. Plus their concerts brought in a cool $47.6 million. Not too shabby. Then match that with a bizarre Cadbury Dairy Milk ad in which a gorilla drums along to "In The Air Tonight", the last 12 months have been Phil Collins overload.

9. Aqua

It's been 10 years since Aqua's Ken doll suggested, "Come on, Barbie. Let's go party." I know. 10 years. But I guess it's time to get the party started again! In October, Aqua held a press conference to state they are coming back for a tour (that may include Canada!!!). Oh, to hear the dance-able duet Dr. Jones live.... candy-coated bliss to my ears. Unfortunately they have gotten off to a slow start - the tour won't be until the summer of 2008. That is why, Aqua, you land at number 9. Now get organized!

8. Ace of Base

Even though they recently lost Malin Berggren from the group (and she has subsequently been taken off all promotional material on the band's official website), Ace of Base announced that they are back in the studio working on a new album, and they also performed a few European shows in November of this year as a warm-up for a planned world (!) tour in 2008. Count me in!

7. Crowded House

This one is for those from the Land Down Unda'. Early in the year, Aussie band Crowded House announced they would record a new album, however they needed a new drummer and after weeks of auditions, they recruited Beck drummer Matt Sherrod. This new band formation worked in their favour, resulting in a low-key album that rivals anything they released 20 years ago.

6. The Eagles

And this one is purely for my parents. Hi, Mom and Dad!

5. Rage Against the Machine

Politically-charged rock band, Rage Against the Machine, made their return by headlining the final day of Coachella 2007. And of course, in true RATM style, they weren't there just to play music - they had a message as well. Guitarist Tom Morello told NME at the time that the reunion was politically motivated: "Is it a coincidence that in the seven years that Rage Against The Machine has been away that the country has slid into right-wing purgatory? I think not... It occurred to all of us that the times were right to see if we can knock the Bush administration out in one fell swoop, and we hope to do that job well." So for stickin' to your guns, RATM, you land in the Top 5.

4. Van Halen

The Van Halen reunion was as tumultuous and full of drama as the band's past. During all of 2006, there were rumours of a reunion, then in early 2007, Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which shone the spotlight on them once again. After this induction and after many more on-again-off-again rumours, Van Halen (with David Lee Roth) confirmed what everyone already knew: they will be getting back together. Yay! Jump! This news was followed by a sold-out show in North Carolina in September which garnered positive reviews. Their tour will rock on into 2008.

3. The Police

Ok, I'm going to say it: I'm not a huge Police fan (but before you all jump down my throat, I appreciate what they've accomplished). My mom loves Sting, so I've heard my share growing up. And it seems a lot of others love Sting as well since The Police 2007 reunion tour took in upwards of $131.9 million over 54 shows with an average ticket price of $114.32. Woah! So overall, they may have taken the top spot on tickets sales, but my apathy towards them knocks them down to number 3 on this lil' list o' mine.

2. Led Zeppelin

Having two older rock n' rollin' brothers, Led Zeppelin has been blasting through my ear drums for as long as I can remember. They are what all bands aspire to be. I mean, without Jimmy Page there would be no Slash, no? So if this band is so important to music, why are they only number 2? Well I'm happy you asked and the reason is this: they just can't seem to get their act together. Their highly-anticipated one-off reunion concert earlier this month in London was over 2 hours, full of hits, and the reviews of both fans and critics could not have been better. But are they actually doing an extended tour? No one will confirm one way or the other, and this is what confirms them a spot at number 2.

1. Spice Girls

If one group has their act together, it's definitely the Spice Girls. The amount of time it took for them to announce their reunion, rehearse, star in reality TV shows, and get their butts on stage for their opening show in Vancouver, is mind boggling. But it seems that 10 years after their split, "Girl Power" is still all the rage, as these shows are selling out in mere minutes, dates just continue to get added, and Toronto has been deemed the ultimate Spice City due to its dedicated fans. So for showing us some Canada lovin', I give it right back by putting these cheeky Brits at number 1. Holla!

So there you have it, folks. Who will reunite in 2008? Honestly, are there any bands even left?

PS: Although they are great, Smashing Pumpkins did NOT make this list simply because they announced their reunion back in 2005. Tsk tsk tsk. Reunions that take over 2 years will not be praised. (This is me exercising power that I don't actually have and making decisions just because I can).

Happy New Year!

So I sat here for a few minutes, thinking to myself that 2007 was a pretty dry year when it comes to excitement at Much. No K-Fed rabblerousery, no Leah live TV falls, relatively quiet MMVAs. BUT WAIT, says I - there was a healthy portion of excitement this year! My brain is just broken! And in a very particular order, here are the best Much moments of the year!

8. Slash on MOD
A legend stopping time in an environment saturated with teenage Disney-fied hysteria, Slash dropped by for an MOD interview and showed way more class than the product-spewing Gene Simmons did only days later.

7. Hedley In General
Jacob didn't come to the MMVAs, but a blow-up doll did in his place. The guys didn't really get into a heated argument with a fan on MOD, but it sure looked like it. And Jacob didn't really like when Leah broke out the S&M gear during their Live@Much, but it sure looked like she did. Once again, Hedley remain the kings of Canadian rapscallion-rock in '07.

6. Live Earth
Broadcast live from Much HQ, 150 artists on 7 continents spent 24 hours trying to show the world that little changes can make a difference in climate control and global warming.

5. Miley + Hilary = LOVE
Hans Montans thought it was just any other ordinary phoner question, but when she found out that it was in fact her idol Hilary Duff, she freaked out a little. Okay, a lot. There was something special in the air that day ... *tear*

4. Avril Tears & Used Swears
Now, here were two stand-out moments at this year's MMVAs - one emotional, one just plain rock & roll. When Avril won her People's Choice award, she couldn't contain her happiness and burst into tears onstage. And when The Used were about to perform "The Bird And The Worm", Bert led the crowd in a profanity-laced chant of, "f**k! F**k! F**k!"

3. V-Festapalooza
From Vancouver and Toronto, we brought you live video, blogs and tons of photos while experiencing festival fabulosity at its near best. We were dirty, tired, hot, cold and sore, but it was all worth it. Enter Shikari, Bjork, The Killers, M.I.A. and Metric were all stand-outs in 2007!

2. Oooooh, Zac!
With our fingers apparently far from the pulse of pre-teen pop culture sensations, we had no idea what kind of ruckus Zac Efron would cause when he visited MOD with the cast of Hairspray. Culminating with possibly the most awkward make-out session since Liza Minelli and David Gest several years ago, this was hysteria at its sugary best.

1. Winehouse Goes MIA
In May, it wasn't quite fully established that Amy was as messed up as we've come to realize. I mean, we knew she had some demons, but she was still touring and scheduled to perform on MOD. Soundcheck went well and apparently sounded amazing, but come showtime, Wino was NOWHERE to be found. Sources spotted her wandering around Queen street with her husband Blake! With minutes left before the show ended, and all hopes dashed of a live performance, the woman ambles in, sits down, and starts to sing. Amazing. I can't believe I was on vacation for this sh*t. Undeniably the best moment of the year!

Hundreds and hundreds of videos later and I've managed to narrow down a list of videos that I thought were the most memorable of 2007. We're not talking about the melodramatic Hedley videos or the sleezy Britney Spears videos, we're talking about videos that were so outlandishly good that you when you saw them you stopped dead in your tracks. With that in mind, let's get to it!

Bat For Lashes - What's A Girl To Do
Directed By: Dougal Wilson

Hands down Dougal Wilson has to be one of my favourite music video directors around today. Much like famed music video director turn film director Spike Jonze, Wilson is a risk-taker - he experiments with a variety of shooting styles and is able to successfully capture the raw essence of the artist on screen. Rarely ever will you ever see two Dougal Wilson videos that look alike. So when you pair a burgeoning new artist with a craftsman like Mr.Wilson you know you're in for a treat. This hauntingly addictive video will have you hitting repeat in no time. A bike gang roaming the dark streets at night with mascot heads? AMAZING.

LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great

There's something so sweet yet so heartbreaking about this video. We follow the mystery girl through the motions of her day and regardless of how mundane some of the tasks appear you can't help but be engrossed in the character and her surroundings. Not since Pulp's 'Disco 2000' have I loved a grocery store scene - brief it maybe, but the all-black silhouette matched with the bright colors of the stocked canned goods is jaw-droppingly good.

Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
Directed By: Benny Boom

Is it just me or is this video ridiculously sexy? In a very unconventional way, this video screams sexy! Perhaps, it is the easy going beach bum vibe that's got me all riled up – But it's safe to say that Benny Boom has done it once again. Though, this time round he's added his sex appeal to Californian outfit Rooney's latest video - Seriously, you can’t deny the song and video's addictive quality.

Jay-Z - Roc Boys
Directed By: Chris Robinson

Chris Robinson, consider me impressed. If there's one thing that Mr. Robinson is good at, it's making his subject look damn good. And well, he definitely succeeded at that in Jay-Z's latest 'Roc Boys.' Nas, Jay, Puff and Mariah look real dapper in this throwback piece. We follow young Jay's life in the late 80s with his current Christalle popping life - the glitz and the glamour work. In fact, the slick cinematography, the stylin' wardrobe and the well executed narrative story makes this video one of the best in '07. Kudos, Chris and Jay!

Timbaland ft. The Hives - Throw It On Me
Directed By: The Saline Project

I LOVE THIS SONG and it's safe to say that I LOVE THIS VIDEO. It's unfortunate that this song did not get the pickup I thought it was going to get. But it's the end of 2007 and if you haven't seen this video then you're in for a treat. The Saline Project takes a visual cue from Frank Miller's Sin City but instead of nabbing Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawson, they managed to score the ladies of the WWE. This comic book gem of a video will have you in awe. Sit back, relax and enjoy the slick cinematography in this video.

Talib Kweli f. will.i.am - Hot Thing/In The Mood
Directed By: Bernard Gourley

OK, some people maybe sick of the whole HP commercial schtick but when you watch this video you can't help but revel in its genius. Popup never looked so good until...

Shitdisco - Ok
Directed By: James Price

We've seen the whole popup book concept in music videos before but unlike the thirty second blips we usually see, James Price manages to extend this concept to its full length…And well, it works! This clever little video is a real page turner...The simple graphics and the clever popup trickery will have you itching for more.

Feist - 1234
Directed By: Patrick Daughters

Thanks to a little thing called the iPOD, Feist's sweetly choreographed video 1234 is getting the pickup that it deserves. Feist's number one man, Patrick Daughters, steps behind the camera once again for this sparkly and colorful video. The big question at the end of the video is, where did all the dancers disappear to?

The Shins - Turn On Me
Directed By: Michael

A cautionary tale at what too much fake and baking can do to the skin. Consider this a warning, Lindsay, Britney and Paris. Thirty years from now you may look like the leathery old woman in this finger lickin' video.

All right! Yes, that is an exclamation mark because today is Christmas Eve. There is absolutely no one in the building. Well that's a lie - there are still people in the building - but very, very few. I just happen to be one of those few. But I had a week off and only work Monday, Thursday and Friday of this week so I'm not worried. But I just wanted to say you guys are all amazing and I hope you're enjoying the Holiday Wrap shows. I'm on a few of them and loved working on them so I hope you love watching them!

But it's the holidays so go out and eat too much, have a little eggnog, go play in the snow, and have as much fun as you can...cuz that's what I'm doing! But I also know the holidays can be really hard for some families and just wanted to say to those people to stay positive and really try and make your holidays what you want them to be. See you all in the new year!!

P.S.: I slipped on the ice like 5 minutes ago...embarrassing yet hilarious!

This is your final chance to caption a pic and win one of Samsung m510 phones!

Post your caption in the comments, and also email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs or someone's gonna get dropkicked.

Gerard Way...do you hear what I hear?

P.S.: Allll the other chances to enter - 11 of 'em!
Caption This: Zac Efron
Caption This: Amy Winehouse
Caption This: Rihanna
Caption This: Foo Fighters
Caption This: Nicole Scherzinger
Caption This: Andy Samberg
Caption This: Marianas Trench
Caption This: Keira Knightley
Caption This: Billy Talent
Caption This: Miley Cyrus
Caption This: Moustachios

Most "OMG THAT VID IS SOO GOOD I'M GONNA GO WATCH IT AGAIN, CUS IT WAS DIFFERENT TOO" Wedge style videos of 2007!

This year, there was some good, there was some bad. Let us focus on the awesomely ace & visually stunning videos that went beyond the usual music video "formula"...

Beirut Elephant Gun
Fits the song perfectly. Watching this makes me want to break into dance and run away to a place unknown. The song is something beautiful, as is lead singer Zach. The elephant trunks, confetti and empty wine bottles and dancing are key. It's one of those videos I want to escape in, especially at the end on the beach. How lovely!

Watch: YouTube

Battles Atlas
Good song. Good times. Their album's title (Mirrored) comes into play a tad as the video is the band in a glass/mirror cube...in space (or something). The first time I have to say I thought the song and vid were kinda strange and weird, but the thing is, after you watch it you can't get it out of your head. I now love it.

Watch: MuchAXS

Bat for Lashes What's A Girl To Do?
Donnie Darko meets ET. Natasha's eerie voice draws you in as she bikes down a dark street when suddenly some animal type creatures appear. You have to watch to understand - it's creepy yet romantic, strangely. The song just blends into the video in a very good way.

Watch: MuchAXS

LCD Soundsystem All My Friends
Simplicity done right. James Murphy dons some face paint and sings to us about "How it starts" in spot on lighting. Watch the emotion on his face. The song is oh so catchy, too (Franz Ferdinand even covered it)!

Watch: MuchAXS

Arctic Monkeys Brianstorm
Quick cuts, flashing lights, dancers, photo stills, colour, and black and white. It may be my fave Arctic Monkeys vid to date. Plus they rhyme "jacuzzi" with "use me". Enough said.

Watch>: MuchAXS

Justice D.A.N.C.E
Before Kanye got to director So Me, (who does all the art direction for Ed Banger Records) and made Good Life, Justice made D.A.N.C.E. Who doesn't love a song with spelling? I wish I had an animated t-shirt. My summer song.

Watch: MuchAXS

Shitdisco OK
POP-UP BOOK PUPPETRY! Hells yes.

Watch: MuchAXS

Klaxons (any of their videos, but particularly) Golden Skans
Things don't get any more epic than this. The new rave Brits float in ribbons and rhinestones. Fire and water also involved.

Watch: MuchAXS

Hot Chip Ready For The Floor
Does this count even though it's so recent? I'm just so excited for their new album! This video has a lot of camera trickery and bright colours that I am fond of. Best part? When paint is thrown and you go "Whoa! There are people there!" Sidenote: Is he half the Joker?

Watch: YouTube

Hey jerks! This is the second last (PENULTIMATE) chance for you to win a Samsung m510 phonamajig! Our gift to you, our favourite person. So why don'tcha go ahead and post your caption in the comments, hmm!?

Don't forget to ALSO email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs. Because we say so.

Uhh... nice look, Matte & Leah.

P.S.: Other chances to enter:
Caption This: Zac Efron
Caption This: Amy Winehouse
Caption This: Rihanna
Caption This: Foo Fighters
Caption This: Nicole Scherzinger
Caption This: Andy Samberg
Caption This: Marianas Trench
Caption This: Keira Knightley
Caption This: Billy Talent

Only a few more days to go before your chance to win a Samsung m510 flies out the window! Do you want that to happen? NO! Yes, I'm speaking for you, but I won't do your work for you. So post your caption in the comments!

Don't forget to ALSO email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs. LAME! But important.

So, like, what's going on with Ol' Hans Montans?

P.S.: Other chances to enter:
Caption This: Zac Efron
Caption This: Amy Winehouse
Caption This: Rihanna
Caption This: Foo Fighters
Caption This: Nicole Scherzinger
Caption This: Andy Samberg
Caption This: Marianas Trench
Caption This: Keira Knightley
Caption This: Billy Talent

* Sacha Baron Cohen may retire Borat and Ali G characters, and I, for one, agree. Save them while they're good!
* This is the most redonkulous rumour I've ever heard about Jamie Lynn. The number one redonkulous rumour would have been her being pregnant, but you know, that happened.
* HA! Check out this Jessica Simpson mask from a site called "Ruin Romo", for people to print out and wear at Dallas Cowboy games...
* Mama Spears' book is back on track! Good, cause what else would I have read in 2008?
* PS3 vs Wii commercial, kind of like those mac ads. Funny!

So, iPods huh?

If I'm being honest, after existing with this music box for a while (later than the masses) and listening to all of my favorite records back to back to back or on shuffle; the sound quality of the tunes is just not doing it for me. After a while I started noticing myself having to turn up the volume when a Billy Joel, Bob Dylan or Fishbone song came on...but when it would shuffle back to a newer tune by System Of A Down or The Mars Volta the volume would be way too loud.

The reason is that because of the popularity of mp3s, music is being engineered, mixed and mastered differently, even old classics are being re-mastered in a way that we lose the beauty of what the musicians originally wanted us to hear. There is no low end, no high end or dynamics between loud and quiet parts of songs anymore and it sucks! I'm dying a slow musical death in this era of "let's make one hit and make sure it sounds good on a MySpace page or someone's iPod." Listen to Music From The Big Pink by The Band released in 1968; every song is great and every song SOUNDS great, the same can be said for Wilco's newest Sky, Blue Sky.

This may sound really old fashioned but do yourself a favour and if you have some old skool music on your iPod that has been re-issued or re-mastered go try to find it on vinyl or even CD and listen to the difference through good speakers or headphones and I promise you'll hear how music is supposed to be heard. OR at the very VERY least make sure you set your iTunes to rip at 192 kbps (it's probably set at 128).

Oh yeah...we have a kickass year end show on MuchMoreMusic.

December 31 @ 6pm ET, interviews with Gene Simmons, Alicia Keys, Slash, Debbie Harry, Dane Cook and LOTS more. I even get nasty and let you know what interviews SUCKED...like Tila Tequila and Carrie Underwood.

Bah Humbug (but seriously, I hope your holidays are rad)
=mw

Yeah, we're still feeling a bit of festive cheer (it might be the spiked egg nog), so heck - why not. We'll give you another extra chance to win a phone today! The Samsung m510 can be yours as easy as pie! Tis the season for pie, you know!

Don't forget to ALSO email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs, because sometimes, kids, rules MATTER.

Check out the hot action below!

P.S.: Other chances to enter:
Caption This: Zac Efron
Caption This: Amy Winehouse
Caption This: Rihanna
Caption This: Foo Fighters
Caption This: Nicole Scherzinger
Caption This: Andy Samberg
Caption This: Marianas Trench
Caption This: Keira Knightley

Back in the day ("the day" here refers to pre-2002, I'd say, before MySpace, Technorati, and music blog aggregators like Hype Machine & Elbo.ws), it was way harder to discover new bands than it is today. It was a combination of word of mouth, opening acts at shows, episodes of The NewMusic and magazines like Spin and NME. Today there are over 60 million blogs - 175,000 new ones are created each day, and many of them are mp3/music-based, transforming average joes everywhere into tastemakers and music mavens. Plus, any fledgling artist can fire up a MySpace page with a quick bio and sample songs without ever inking a record deal.

Here are some bands that we discovered in 2007 thanks to the glory of the Internet. And if this post is your introduction to any of these bands, for shame! Get listening :)

* The Teenagers: The Teenagers are JUST blowing up here now, with the announcement of a North American tour in early 2008 (finally!) but they first made waves online in the spring of 2007, at which point I strongly urged you to listen to them (or else). I remember the days when the only search results I could glean from a google search for "The Teenagers" was the song by MCR - grr. Their debut album Reality Check is due sometime in 2008, and it should be a raunchy banger of a mix. Can't wait!

MySpace: The Teenagers
Check Out: Homecoming, Starlett Johansson, The Teenagers remixes

* Kate Nash: How many cutie British songstresses can we possibly handle in a year? An infinite number, it would seem (Amy, Lily, Maya, Beth)! Kate's constantly compared to Lily Allen, who you'll recall exploded in 2006 via MySpace as well. Not one to keep all the love for herself, Lily posted a coupla songs by Kate on her popular page, and voila - next thing you know, Kate was inking a record deal.

MySpace: Kate Nash
Check Out: Dickhead, Foundations, Pumpkin Song

* Chromeo: When someone first tipped me off to Chromeo, their official site was an online abomination. Totally brutal design and un-navigatable. Fortunately the Montreal duo soon hooked themselves up with a pared down page and tagged along on a few cross-Canada tours and next thing you know, DJs everywhere were playing and remixing their songs at gigs. Remarkably, singer David Macklovitch (who is DJ A-Trak' [Kanye West's tour DJ]'s older brother) still somehow finds time to teach undergrad classes at Columbia University in NY state. WTF.

MySpace: Chromeo
Check Out: Fancy Footwork, Tenderoni

* Klaxons: Before the Mercury Prize, before gracing a gajillion NME covers and being remixed by everyone from Justice to Kavinsky, Klaxons songs slowly circulated their way from one mp3 blog to another - within no time they were being hailed them as THE band of 2007. Even uber-grump Noel Gallagher thinks they're cool.

MySpace: Klaxons
Check Out: Atlantis To Interzone, Two Receivers

* Bat For Lashes: Here we go again with the hauntingly beautiful British voices...Bat for Lashes, aka Natasha Khan, was slated as the critics' favourite to win the 2007 Mercury Prize for her debut album Fur And Gold. Her vocals have been compared to Bjork, Cat Power and Tori Amos, and Thom Yorke things she's brilliant. Enough said, people.

MySpace: Bat For Lashes
Check Out: What's A Girl To Do, Caroline's A Victim

* Calvin Harris: He's cute, British, he makes precious YouTube videos and he's worked on Kylie Minogue and Sophie Ellis-Bextor's newest albums. And his music is extremely danceable - it's impossible for me to listen to Acceptable In The 80s without wanting to speed up the treadmill to the maximum mph.

MySpace: Calvin Harris
Check Out: Acceptable In The 80s, Girls, Colours

* Justice: OK, I don't need to remind you how much I adore Justice. But I will tell you how I first heard of them. I was listening to Steve Lamacq on BBC6, and Waters Of Nazareth came on. I instantly fell in love, and spent the next six months (!) trying to track down that song in ANY format. I could not. I went so far as to record the archived show and cut out the radio quality song from the setlist. At the MTV Europe Music Awards in late 2006, Justice upset Kanye West by winning Video Of The Year for their reworking of Simian's Never Be Alone (now called We Are Your Friends). Next thing you know, everyone was calling the French duo the next Daft Punk and they were igniting dance holocausts worldwide. Fin.

MySpace: Justice
Check Out: Phantom II, Waters Of Nazareth

* Foals: Oxford dance-punk band Foals haven't quite broken yet, but that's because we've only heard a sampling of the music they've recorded - debut album Antidotes will be released in March 2008 (just two months away!), and it won't include either of their solo singles Mathletics and Hummer.

MySpace: Foals
Check Out: Mathletics, Hummer

* Paramore: Tennessee youngsters Paramore (ages 17-22) got their share of touring experience by participating in the last three Warped Tours, and before Riot! was even released, everyone had already fallen in love with vocalist Hayley Williams (voted Sexiest Female by Kerrang! mag) and they were selling out shows all over the UK.

MySpace: Paramore
Check Out: Crushcrushcrush, Misery Business

* Lil Mama: Early in the summer, now-18-year-old Lil Mama's monster hit Lip Gloss became an online staple - it's got 2 million plays on her MySpace page. That's a LOT. The average single - even the big ones - on MySpace has like 300,000 listens. After Lip Gloss, she recorded single remixes with Avril Lavigne, Rihanna and Britney Spears. I don't know how much longevity she'll have, but I'll be damned if Lip Gloss isn't still in heavy rotation on my iPod!

MySpace: Lil Mama
Check Out: Lip Gloss, GSlide Tour Bus

There's a commercial on TV for Virgin Mobile - you've seen it, it's on all the time - with a super catchy song in the background. Every time I would hear it, I'd remind myself to FIND OUT WHAT THE SONG IS, because it's so dang infectious. Finally I broke down and asked Kat, the master of everything obscure-song-related. She heard the song clip and exclaimed, "I just listened to that on my iPod this morning!" And with a little backtrack action, she remembered the name of the song. Since then, I believe at least *five* people have asked her the same question - what's the song in the Virgin commercial?!

Well, here's the answer to all your hopes and dreams - the song is "Pogo", by Digitalism. And I've had it on repeat for a week now. And you can watch the full video here! But just so you know, it's addictive. So watch out.

We're heading into the home stretch here with our Caption This! contest. Five more chances to win and then it's Christmas! If you want to increase your chances of winning 1 of 12 Samsung m510 phones, keep captioning!

Don't forget to ALSO email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs or I'll come and suckerpunch you.

What's so funny, Keira Knightley? Not to mention, what's with the figure skating/Bjork-inspired costume?

P.S.: Other chances to enter:
Caption This: Zac Efron
Caption This: Amy Winehouse
Caption This: Rihanna
Caption This: Foo Fighters
Caption This: Nicole Scherzinger
Caption This: Andy Samberg
Caption This: Marianas Trench

Every year I resolve to watch less TV and vow instead to bound through the outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and woodland creatures that I'm told abound in Mother Nature's magical world. And every year I fail miserably and turn into a virtual hermit, watching every new program the networks have to offer while still remaining glued to the returning shows that I love more than sunlight. The Writer's Guild Strike has thrown a bit of a wrench into my regularly scheduled programming but somehow I've still managed to watch as much TV as I did last year...impressive, I know. So after much research and many wasted hours I shall never get back, here's what I humbly think is the cream of the television crop (both new and old):

Pushing Daisies
As some of you might know from reading the blog, I am obsessed with this show and think it's one of the best things to hit television since Sesame Street. If you haven't watched yet - you need to start...it's like watching a TV show from Tim Burton (if he were on Prozac). It's brilliantly cast, it's got zingy/witty dialogue, the production quality is amazing and the concept is pretty darn unique. I can forgive them their occasional misstep into sappy territory because their originality really trumps everything.

Life
My second favourite new show of the season...largely because of the strength of its main character and his portrayer, Damian Lewis. It's a show in the same vein as House...i.e. quirky dude in professional role...but the overarching character arcs and storylines set it apart and keep me coming back. My girly-crush on Mr. Lewis has little or nothing to do with that...not at all.

The Office
Two words. Michael Scott. (Yes, I love Jim and Pam but Mr. Regional Manager is what keeps me hooked.)

How I Met Your Mother
I'm a huge fan of shows that give long time viewers pay off for tuning in - and this show does it better than most. The "Slap Bet" between Marshall and Barney is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen and if you missed out on the most recent instalment of that saga, the awesome Slapsgiving episode (complete with holiday song and music video), then you missed out on one of the best television episodes of 2007...seriously.

House
I don't know what I'd do if Hugh Laurie wasn't on my television on a weekly basis...and gosh darnit, I don't ever want to find out. The formula of this show might seem a little stale at this point (what? they saved someone just in the nick of time? I didn't see that coming at all) but as long as Dr. Gregory House is involved, it's never boring.

Brothers & Sisters
Okay - I've just started watching this show and I love it. I've been missing a good family drama to curl up and occasionally sob to and this one really fits the bill. The cast is top-notch and there is at least one character that everyone can relate to...except the one played by Rob Lowe. Did anyone ever see that TV movie he did that spawned that awful holiday song Christmas Shoes? I know he's not responsible for it but since I don't know who is, I direct my anger and loathing his way. It's not rational, I'm fully aware. But I digress...

Flight of the Conchords
Let me tell you a little something about myself...I love sarcasm and I heart quirky. You don't get much more sarcastically quirky than the New Zealand folk-duo Jermaine and Bret, the two main characters who are trying to hit the bigtime in New York, and you don't get many better supporting characters than Murray the Manager or Mel, their one and only fan. Pure and unmitigated brilliance.

Other shows that the esteemed Much.com team loved this year:

Dexter, The Amazing Race, 30 Rock, Boston Legal, America's Next Top Model, Big Love, Family Guy, Weeds, Project Runway Canada, The L Word, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men, Ugly Betty, and Survivor (yes, people still watch that and we're not ashamed to say it).

* I heart Kristen Bell, therefore I was happy to stumble upon a claymation Xmas short vid that is narrated by her, on the American Eagle website. There is also one narrated by Milo Ventimiglia.

* I heart cover songs, so this MP3 list of the Top 20 Cover Songs of 2007 makes me happy.

* I heart to hate Sharon Stone, and this makes me hate her even more.

* I heart Suri - too bad her Mama Katie sounds like a tool.

* I heart that Ashlee Simpson is a big whiny baby.

* And finally, I heart when Christmas Kitten is stuck in a mitten.

Every year I buy many Christmas gifts. The holiday is important to my family; I could never show up empty-handed or even worse - refuse a gift. (For them, it's a cultural faux pas to not except everything & anything that's offered to you.) But I don't really need anything, and I definitely don't need to brush up against 700 angry pre-xmas mall rats.

The alternative: I have friends who (and bear with me here capitalists) give the money they would have spent on their mother/brother/lover to charity. This would never work with my family. But if it does with yours and you're not a cuddly activist, meaning you are vain and style-conscious, I have the charity for you.

It's called The F**k Death Foundation. Toronto artists Jeremy Stewart & Simon Wilkinson (best known for the Grey Sweatsuit Revolution are donating their time and money - and perhaps yours? - to charities that battle diseases/phenomena statistically most likely to kill you. So cancer, AIDS, heart disease, parasites, infectious ailments and global crises in general.

It's for people who want to live forever - and F**k Death. In their note to "Death", Simon & Jeremy tell the evil killer like it is: "We, the living, have decided that there is no logical reason why we have to put up with you anymore."

According to F**k Death's research, the body actually starts dying at 25 years old. From that young moment onward, a combo of factors, triggered metabolically, begin our ultimate demise.

The lofty and cheeky goal of the project is to actually make death extinct. But ironically, giving to this charity instead of buying at Christmas might one day make you so healthy, you'll need to purchase nice clothes to show off your amazingly fit, death-proof bod. Boxing Day is a good place to start.

Here's where sign up:
1-877-DIE-DON'T
forever@fuckdeath.org

Ok, so yes, lil' Jamie Lynn Spears is all preggers. Shocking. But what I find even MORE shocking is that Mary J. Blige has an opinion on the matter!!! Mary J. Blige, the talented RnB soulstress is actually following this tabloid trash fodder...?!

According to NME, Ms. Blige had the following advice for Jamie Lynn:

"Stay strong, baby girl. If that's her choice (to keep the baby) then congratulations. Hope she's responsible and I hope she understands what that brings. You have to change your lifestyle so (your children) can look at you as an example. It's all about Mommy being an example Jamie. That's what it's about."

WTF? It's all about Mommy being an example? Well, obviously Jamie Lynn is already doing a bang-up job. *Insert eye-rolling emoticon here*

Also, John Legend (!) has weighed in on all the baby drama:

"My sister had a baby when she was young, so I know what it's like, and... It's going to be difficult, so I hope her family supports her and takes care of her. It's hard for a young mother."

Who'll weigh in next? The Pope? I wouldn't be surprised anymore. Clearly the Spears household is set on world domination, and frankly, I'm terrified.

Photographs Courtesy Getty Images

I didn't lie - here's yet another chance (1 of 12!) to win a samsung m510 phone. All you have to do is caption the photo below and email your caption + name, age, address and phone number to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can call you if you've won. And don't forget to read the rules & regs or angry badgers will gnaw off your fingers.

Here's a pic of the boys from Marianas Trench on the red carpet at the MMVAs...um??

Just because I'm in the 'giving spirit' today, I'm gonna give you TWO chances to win the super Samsung m510 cell phone - caption this pic and the next one, why dontcha?

Don't forget to ALSO email your name, age, address and phone number (along with your caption for reference) to redhot@muchmusic.com so we can get in touch with you if you're a winner! And read the rules & regs or all hell is gonna break loose.

What's up with Andy Samberg here??

* Screen Actors Guild nominations! Maybe that didn't deserve an exclamation mark.
* Aaaand the People's Choice awards have been cancelled. Not because they suck, but on account of the writers strike. And also because they suck.
* Jack White is working on THREE new albums. Not the Stripes. Not Raconteurs. NEW. That, my friends, is ambition.
* Terrell Owens don't want no more Jessica Simpson hangin' around their confoundit football games, ya hear?
* Jeez louise, Brit's kids may be tested for drugs. Where will it END?!

Hello!

It's Aaron from Billy Talent...so, Christmas is fast approaching and I hope you all enjoy your families and friends over the holidays. For us in Billy Talent, the holidays will also consist of a concert we are putting on at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on December 28. This will be the second annual F.U.M.S. (F**k You Multiple Sclerosis) concert series.

All proceeds for this concert will go to the MS Society of Canada Scholarship Fund supported by Billy Talent and friends. This program was put in place to help families who are trying to cope with the high cost of medicine and the inability to work and pay for their children's education.

The lineup this year is a lot of fun and a little different than most shows. The beginning of the evening will have three bands performing from 8pm to 11pm followed by three DJs from 11pm to 2am. The evening will start with Saint Alvia Cartel, followed by City And Colour and then Billy Talent.

Right when the last note is played the show will turn into a party in the main room. The music for the evening will be supplied by k-os, DJ Jazz and Justin Peroff from Broken Social Scene.

Not only do you get such great music but you will also get to bring home something special that was created by my good friend Stu at Playdead. He has designed the passes for the show and everyone who buys a ticket will receive one.

I am so honoured to have so many amazing Canadian artists come out and help with a cause I hold so close to my heart. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster for $50 each. This will be a 19+ event.

- Aaron

I had an incredible year of concerts this year - I nearly managed to break 100 shows (94 in all in 2007) but unfortunately by the time I realized I was so close to the golden number, there was a dearth of remaining shows in 2007 to choose from.

If you were at any of these shows you can surely appreciate the awe and amazement (and for the most part, bursts of uncontrollable, frenzied energy) that came over the audiences as they rocked out to these sets.

10. Under Byen
March 8 @ Mod Club Theatre

I happened upon Danish band Under Byen when they played Mod Club as part of NXNE and I'm glad I did. What I witnessed was a 'sonically devastating' set that left me somewhat breathless. They had a junkload of multi-instrumentalists on stage with them - a cellist, violin player, a saw, harmonica, TWO drummers, bass player and the a singer whose voice was gorgeous and haunting. At the end of the night the band came out for a very Scandinavian-inspired bow.

MySpace: Under Byen

9. Patrick Wolf
May 11 @ El Mocambo

Before Patrick Wolf opened for Amy Winehouse, promoters threw together a last minute solo show to start off the trilogy of performances, and it was hands down the best of the three. Patrick's performance was endearing and somewhat magical. He has this way of mesmerizing the audience with his charm and style, and the setlist he presented us with was unique (some songs hadn't been performed live, like, ever). This show was infinitely better than his return later in the year in October.

MySpace: Patrick Wolf

8. Bloc Party & Albert Hammond Jr.
March 25 @ Kool Haus

This show was just ON - from the moment Bloc Party took the stage, my face was white with disbelief at how amazing and insane the crowd response was. Scalper tickets were being sold outside for four times the asking price. It was a frenetic dance party throughout at the height of excitement after A Weekend In The City's release.

MySpace: Bloc Party

7. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (VICE Festival Ball)
September 7 @ Berkeley Church

The guest list for any VICE party is notoriously difficult to penetrate, but after waiting in line for four hours, we made our way inside to enjoy an exclusive set by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I really don't know where Karen O. gets her energy, but her personality and stage presence have become somewhat of a benchmark for all band frontwomen - she's feisty, unpredictable and bonkers energetic. She was bouncing around the stage like crazy and adding and removing accessories (hats, masks, scarves, leotards). YYY tore through the hits - Pin, Gold Lion, Y Control, Date With The Night, Honeybear, and of course, Maps.

MySpace: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

6. Enter Shikari
May 23 @ El Mocambo

Coming off a high of three days at Vancouver's Virgin Fest, I was ready to finally enjoy my very first taste of an Enter Shikari-headlined show. I don't need to remind you how ridiculous their sets are - crazy synth/hardcore mashups with both melody and shrieks, breakdancing, cartwheels, pogoing, freestyle dance and more. These guys bring it like no other when it comes to that fresh energy that "new" bands have when they first make the tour rounds. The tightly packed crowd was pogo-ing and thrashing around like a bunch of angry gnats from start to finish.

MySpace: Enter Shikari

5. Muse
August 1 @ Arrow Hall

Despite the decision to play increasingly shitty venues in Toronto (first The Docks, now Arrow Hall?), Muse still managed to sound tremendous. It's no secret that their live shows are balls out frenetic rock riots - they are a band that truly belongs in an arena, as their sold out dates at Wembley Stadium prove (capacity: 90,000). They even managed to sound terrific in an airplane hangar and brought amazing aspects to the show that prove how special they are: monstrous confetti-filled balloons bouncing above the crowd, CGI video accompaniments on massive screens, dry ice, explosions, laser-firing chrome guitars, a full-sized piano with a glass top and flickering pink lights...wtf? Plus, their setlist couldn't have been tighter. Bravo boys.

4. Crystal Castles
June 21 @ The Social

As I near the end of this list I'm detecting a theme - the more enjoyable shows for me were the ones were the audience took on a form of temporary insanity and excitement for the bands performing. Crystal Castles are one such band. Even though they're from Toronto, seeing them perform here is a rarity cause they're busy jetsetting the globe and headlining parties in the UK, Japan, Australia and the rest of Europe. In 2007 I saw more band members wearing Crystal Castles tshirts than any other tshirt, ever. Their set was brief but blistering, and the audience was wild for the cutie duo.

MySpace: Crystal Castles

3. Klaxons
April 8 @ Lee'S Palace

April 8 marked the Klaxons' Toronto debut - this was way before any talk of the Mercury, or any NME-band-of-the-year nonsense. Earlier in the day they had played a short acoustic set at the now defunkt Amp'd Mobile studio. Singer Jamie Reynolds put us on his personal guest for that evening after we met him at the studio. From the first note they played, everyone in the room was losing their minds. I actually had my drink knocked out of my hand so quickly/hard that half of it ended up IN my nose. Stage diving (literally, corkscrewing off the stage at a running start), major crowd surfing and full on bodyslamming throughout the entire one hour set.

MySpace: Klaxons

2. Justice
October 18 @ Circa

How could you go wrong with a hot duo like Justice to inaugurate Circa's concert roster? The club was absolutely RAMMED to capacity. From the moment the pair fired up their gear, it was point-of-no-return dance mayhem. The guys played a mix of their album tracks, mashups and remixes of some of their most famous tracks. From the super-extendamix of The Party f. Uffie to Phantom/Phantom II, their album translated into a live setting was an absolute monster. For the encore, a remixed version of Metallica's Master Of Puppets was the only logical choice.

MySpace: Justice

1. Daft Punk/The Rapture
August 5 @ Arrow Hall

Are you at all surprised (she says, as Daft Punk's infamous Coachella set comes on iTunes shuffle...)? Anyone who had the privilege of finally seeing Daft Punk live in 2007 will agree that it was a truly spectacular experience. It was a non-stop lights spectacle customized to every beat of every song. Hearing Daft Punk at such a constant, throbbing level made me feel like I'd been transported onto the island of Ibiza, with everyo